Net-a-Porter Beauty Advent Calendar 2023 Review

I’ve returned with another review, this time for a second advent calendar for the festive 2023 holiday season. I’m sure you’re as surprised as I am! Earlier, I had firmly stated that the Style Korean advent calendar would be my sole review for this merry season. At that time, I truly meant it.

However, the unexpected has happened – another advent calendar has made its way into my life. The sudden appearance of this new holiday countdown is a surprise, even to me. It’s a turn of events that I’m still trying to come to terms with, even though it was I who placed the order.

This unexpected twist might seem a bit puzzling, but sometimes, life throws us surprises that we can’t always anticipate. Even when we think we have our plans set in stone, something new and unexpected can pop up, changing the course of things entirely. And that’s precisely what has happened here.

So, here I am, back with a fresh review of a different advent calendar – the Net-a-Porter 2023 Beauty Advent Calendar. Despite the initial shock, I’m excited to delve into this new holiday experience and share my thoughts with you all.

Why now?

Before diving into the specifics, I think it’s important to address why I chose to purchase the Net-a-Porter advent calendar at this point. Upon its launch, it certainly piqued my interest. However, despite its remarkable value, the higher price tag and, more importantly, the decreased quantity of items compared to previous years’ calendars compelled me to reconsider my choice.

For the past couple of years, I’ve been a regular customer of Net-a-Porter’s advent calendars. Yet, I typically ended up utilizing only a handful of products from each of these calendars. Granted, the few products I used justified the cost of the calendar, but the remainder would often be neglected or given away as gifts. Given these two factors, I was hesitant to repeat the same experience.
Adding to this, in past years, I consistently paid the full price for these calendars, only to witness them being significantly discounted later on. This was an aspect that further influenced my decision not to rush into buying the calendar immediately upon its release.

This year, however, I stumbled upon the calendar at a 50% discount. Coincidentally, I had recently paid a similar price for a professional membership that I currently don’t have much use for but am unable to escape from. With this in mind, I decided to take the plunge and purchase the calendar. At least the calendar is something that would bring me significantly more joy.

Justifying my decision, there are at least two items in the calendar that I’m interested in using. These alone would more than compensate for the cost of the calendar, especially considering that these are items I wouldn’t typically buy on my own. Additionally, there are other items included that could potentially make for luxurious gifts, should I choose not to keep them for myself.

So this is pretty much why I picked up the calendar.

Delivery

Given that I was already investing a significant amount, I opted for express shipping at checkout. This resulted in the calendar arriving in less than 30 hours from the time I placed the order – quite a pleasant surprise. Particularly since express delivery times have been extended since the world’s drastic shift at the start of this decade. Even when my packages would reach the local hub, they would typically complete their journey on the following day, which wasn’t the case this time.

I certainly won’t be complaining about this speedy service, as now I have a gleaming new toy to enjoy! 🙂

Calendar box

The calendar is housed in a large, lantern-shaped cardboard box. This box features various openings and an interior light, transforming it into a decorative piece for ambiance once all the products are removed. It’s refreshing to see Net-a-Porter mixing things up with this charming concept.

My only wish would be for a different color, perhaps white, even though it might lessen the lantern’s impact. The current color brings less pleasant associations to my mind, but that’s just my personal take, so feel free to ignore it.

I’m really impressed with the innovative design of this year’s calendar and the high-quality cardboard used. I also appreciate that it arrived in perfect condition.
Since Brexit, my Net-a-Porter advent calendars have been shipped from Italy instead of the UK, which often resulted in them arriving in less than perfect condition. However, despite ordering this one quite late and from limited stock, it arrived looking pristine.

Products

• Revive Foaming Cleanser – Enriched Hydrating Wash – worth £55
•  Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eye Shadow Palette in The Golden Goddess
•  Westman Atelier Lip Suede in Les Nudes – worth £78
•  Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson
•  Lié Studio sterling silver ‘Classic Oval’ earrings
•  Jia Jia + NET SUSTAIN Intention rose quartz bracelet – worth £450
•  U Beauty Resurfacing Compound – worth £138
•  Dr. Barbara Sturm Night Serum (30ml)
•  Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
•  Mateo Vegan leather jewelry case – worth £165
•  Anissa Kermiche ‘Bum’ candle
•  111Skin’s The Firming Concentrate – worth £150
•  Sarah Chapman’s Skinesis Overnight Facial – with £62
•  Arch4 cashmere gloves

Above is the list of products. As you can see, the number has been reduced to 15 from the usual 25. Additionally, there’s been a noticeable decrease in beauty items, with a shift towards more lifestyle and accessory products.

The inclusion of more lifestyle items gives the calendar a distinctive and unique touch. However, it also seems to cater to a more niche audience. Now, this calendar feels more like a gift that one might purchase for someone else rather than a personal treat. At least, that’s my perspective on it. There are several luxury items inside that I personally wouldn’t buy for myself.

For instance, the Mateo Vegan Leather Jewelry Case is a beautifully designed piece with appealing gold hardware. The vegan leather has a pleasing feel to it. However, considering its size and price tag, I wouldn’t have given it a second glance in a store. While I appreciate luxury items, I’m not currently in a position where it would be justifiable for me to spend a significant amount on something I don’t have much use for or could find more affordable alternatives to. Unless it’s something I’m completely enamored with, I don’t see the need for such items in my life. On the other hand, I would certainly consider gifting something like this if the occasion called for it.

Fortunately, the jewelry included in the advent calendar is elegantly simple in design, making it suitable for any taste. It’s easy to integrate into anyone’s wardrobe.

Beauty products on the other hand are truly exceptional. The selection has been carefully curated, featuring high-end brands like Revive, Charlotte Tilbury, Pat McGrath Labs, Dr. Barbara Sturm, and Augustinus Bader. These are all well-known and loved by luxury beauty enthusiasts for their quality and efficacy, myself included.

In summary, I’m glad I chose this calendar. As I expected when ordering, there are only a few items that I genuinely want to keep for myself. The upside is that these items alone would have cost me at least double what I paid for the calendar. Plus, it introduced me to items I might not have had the opportunity to try otherwise.

The Net-a-Porter 2023 advent calendar is truly an opulent treat for the senses, with a mix of beauty, lifestyle, and accessory products. If you’re someone who enjoys surprises and indulging in luxury items, this calendar is definitely worth considering. But if you prefer more practical purchases or are on a tighter budget, there are certainly other options. Ultimately, it all boils down to personal preference and what brings you joy. As for me, I’m already looking forward to next year’s edition! So, even though the calendar may not have been a perfect fit for my personal taste, it still provided a delightful experience overall. And at the end of the day, that’s what matters most when it comes to indulging in luxury items – finding joy and pleasure in the experience.

What do you think of the Net-a-Porter 2023 advent calendar?

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